Two males were photographed carrying firearms. Images show the men were pointing the rifle at the gulls.

“These special birds are a taonga to Rotorua and are threatened with extinction,” Ms Te Rangi says.

“The deliberate killing by people is preventable and unacceptable risk, and we would like to hear from anyone who has information about the incident or can identify the men in the photographs.”

Any information can be reported on a confidential basis by calling the DOC hotline 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468) or the Rotorua Police.

Black-billed gulls are a protected species under the Wildlife Act 1953 and it is illegal to kill them. The offence of hunting or killing absolutely protected wildlife has penalties of up to two years’ imprisonment or a fine of up to $100,000 or both.